Name Dropping

I guess I could share the moment when I got caught by a traffic enforcer along the highway in a no-right turn sign. We have different methods on getting away with a traffic infraction and our style could range from acting dumb (like a tourist) to feign innocence or to name drop someone in the city hall’s office as to get away with a reprimand without a ticket. Saying the name of someone does have power.

The Psalmist talked about asking God for salvation through His name. In fact, as I write this, I am preparing for the study on the name of Jesus. Here are some things I learned along the way…

#1 The name “Jesus” means “God rescues”. It is actually the same with the name of Joshua, which is “God is salvation”. (Matt. 1:21)

#2 Salvation is found in no one else but in the name of Jesus. The Apostle Peter, told the ruling bodies (the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the rulers of their time) about the name of Jesus, it could cost him his life but in it was power to save. (Acts 4:12)

#3 We are washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of Jesus. (1 Cor. 6:11)

#4 We can ask the Father anything in the name of Jesus (John 14:13). On our own, who are we to ask God? In the name of Jesus, we can approach God.

#5 For those who believe in the name of Jesus, we become sons and daughters of God. (John 1:12) Our adoption into the kingdom is by virtue of believing in the name of Jesus.

The next thing we ask is that now that we know what the name of Jesus implies, what’s next?

Knowing the name of Jesus meant that we believe that God actively cares about and actively goes about rescuing lost souls. Not only does He care for those who believe but also about seeking out those who don’t. In believing that God can save, and that He cares and loves, our response is to actively take action by seeking out our friends, family, and other neighbors in spite of the pain we are going through, in spite of our circumstances. A person who was rescued in the name of Jesus would tell others who needed to be rescued as well. Hence, a person who comes to God through a realization that God is actively caring and rescuing is, in fact, himself being rescued! (And then goes on to rescue others!)